Hopper 3 and Dolby Atmos Audio

Tron2012

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Apr 6, 2012
1,149
422
IL Suburbs
I searched the forums and did not really find an answer. I am looking to add a soundbar to my family room Sony 4K TV and H3 setup. I am particular about audio and many of the "affordable" soundbars I heard sound bad or the voice component sounds like someone talking in a tin can. I see there are some Atmos capable soundbars that when I heard them sound really nice (sure the store demo is pumping in an Atmos signal to make it sound as best it can).

Does anyone know if Dish is going to add Dolby Atmos to the H3 as an option? Any suggestions on a good soundbar that won't break the bank or sound bad?
 
I see there are some Atmos capable soundbars that when I heard them sound really nice (sure the store demo is pumping in an Atmos signal to make it sound as best it can).

Does anyone know if Dish is going to add Dolby Atmos to the H3 as an option? Any suggestions on a good soundbar that won't break the bank or sound bad?
If something is designed to play Dolby Atmos, odds are that all the components are better than a non-Atmos version. Overall better quality will give you overall better sound even if you never actually connect to a Dolby Atmos source.

And I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on Dish. I have had an Atmos (and DTS-X) receiver for over a year and, so far, only two 4K Blu Rays have even carried an Atmos soundtrack (and my DTS-X light has yet to burn).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tron2012
If something is designed to play Dolby Atmos, odds are that all the components are better than a non-Atmos version. Overall better quality will give you overall better sound even if you never actually connect to a Dolby Atmos source.

And I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on Dish. I have had an Atmos (and DTS-X) receiver for over a year and, so far, only two 4K Blu Rays have even carried an Atmos soundtrack (and my DTS-X light has yet to burn).

Not sure when you've last purchased a 4k blu-ray, but there are all kinds of them with Atmos or DTS-X.
Even Game of Thrones 1-6 has been re-released with Atmos tracks.
 
Not sure when you've last purchased a 4k blu-ray, but there are all kinds of them with Atmos or DTS-X.
Even Game of Thrones 1-6 has been re-released with Atmos tracks.
I really hate most movies released these days. My nephew bought the new 4K Mad Max (I refuse to watch it) and I bought the 4K Logan simply to test my Atmos circuit.

Glad to hear about GoT, but even as good as it is, it's not worth purchasing again simply for a slight upgrade in surround sound. (my opinion after watching Logan)

I hope more Atmos encoded soundtracks get released (especially on Netflix and Amazon Video). It may not be a great improvement over DD HD Master (or even just DD or DD+), but it is better.

PS. I understand that normal Blu Rays could carry an Atmos soundtrack, not just the 4K versions. I hope that will happen and that when they go back into their vaults to re-release movies I think worthy, they will upgrade the soundtracks.
 
I really hate most movies released these days. My nephew bought the new 4 K Mad Max (I refuse to watch it) and I bought the 4K Logan simply to test my Atmos circuit.

Glad to hear about GOT, but even as good as it is, it's not worth purchasing again simply for a slight upgrade in surround sound. (my opinion after watching Logan)

I hope more Atmos encoded soundtracks get released (especially on Netflix and Amazon Video). It may not be a great improvement over DD HD Master (or even just DD or DD+), but it is better.

Completely understood. I agree movies these days are a big hit or miss.. most are a miss. :)
It seems that older movies are being re-released as well in 4k with Atmos or DTS-X. They're coming.. slowly but surely. :)
 
Don't know if Dish will have any ATMOS encoded stuff since that would have to come from the content provider.
I have the Samsung KW-950 and am very pleased. Here's a link HW-K950 Soundbar with Dolby Atmos Home Theater - HW-K950/ZA | Samsung US

Thank you both. I did not know if the Atmos data was just that. Data as part of the audio channel. Or if Dish had to build in any sort of capability to pass or handle that.

Actually, was looking at the baby brother to the 950, the 850. I don't need the surround for the family room and the 850 looks to have the same main sound bar. I am not a 4K expert, but I read online in a review somewhere that the Samsung soundbar HDMI passthrough only passes 4K at 30hz and that the Hopper can spit out 60hz or 30hz, depending upon the type of channel you are viewing. Do not know if that is any sort of limiting factor in the soundbar and TV picture.

Going to try and listen to this one to compare LG and Samsung options.
LG SJ9: 5.1.2 ch High Resolution Audio Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos

This one is a beast not only in size, but price Don't think I need 44 speakers!
YSP-5600 - Overview - Yamaha - United States
 
Completely understood. I agree movies these days are a big hit or miss.. most are a miss. :)
It seems that older movies are being re-released as well in 4k with Atmos or DTS-X. They're coming.. slowly but surely. :)
You answered me while I was adding a PS to wish for more movies outta the vaults. We be thinking the same.:)
 
This one is a beast not only in size, but price Don't think I need 44 speakers!
YSP-5600 - Overview - Yamaha - United States
Just FYI for those following the thread.....

Before I retired (2010) I ran a small Home Theater (which included Dish Network as an offering... thus why I am here) and installed many of the original Yamaha YSP products.

Though we men would prefer 7 coffin sized speakers (and a monster subwoofer), Mama says, "You get ONE!". And what Mama says...goes!

Anyway, Yamaha makes audio magic by having so many individual speakers. By listening to it's environment, via the setup microphone, it then uses that information to set those many speakers at certain frequencies and with differing digital delays to fool your ears. If properly setup (and you sitting in the "sweet spot") you can really be fooled into thinking that there are speakers above and behind you.

They are really for those who have the money, but not the room, to try and create a surround sound with no surrounds.

PS. Sneak a wireless subwoofer behind the couch. Mama will never know!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tron2012
***

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)

Who Read This Thread (Total Members: 1)

Latest posts